"We were working the character description of Ben's dad," Parks co-creator Mike Schur explained. "And I said aloud, 'He should act like [Banks's Breaking Bad character] Mike Ehrmantraut'. So somebody said, 'Well, why can't we just get Jonathan Banks?'"

The exec producer added: "To me, at this exact moment in time, he's everyone I know's favorite actor."

The 65-year-old Banks has also recently appeared on Ringer, Two and a Half Men and Modern Family and was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in CBS's '80s series Wiseguy.

He will appear alongside Monk and ER actress Glenne Headly - who will play Ben's mother - in the sixth episode of Parks and Recreation's new run, according to TV Guide.

The show returns to NBC in the US on Thursday, September 20, at 9.30/8.30c.